MINDEN – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been officially notified of the state of Louisiana’s immediate plan to seek alternative M6 disposal methods.

Maj. Gen. Glenn Curtis, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, informed EPA Region 6 Administrator Ron Curry of his intent to “expeditiously” obtain written competitive quotes from contractors and issue a performance-based contract with “fair and equitable pricing for disposal of the M6.”

The letter follows Curtis’ testimony Monday before the Senate Environmental Committee at a special hearing at Camp Minden. Curtis announced to the legislators he will use the emergency response procedures spelled out in Gov. Bobby Jindal’s September 2013 executive order as a means to identify a contractor to dispose of the more 15 million pounds of M6, formerly belonging to Explo Systems, Inc., stored at Camp Minden.

“I made this decision because of the rapidly deteriorating condition of the propellant, and due to the EPA’s expressed willingness to change the disposal remedy,” Curtis wrote in his letter released Wednesday afternoon.

He noted his actions were subject to the EPA’s approval of a method other than the previously selected open tray burn.

Tuesday, EPA spokesman David Gray, without knowing specifics of Curtis’ announcement on Monday, said, “While we haven’t seen specific details, we are pleased to hear about Gen. Curtis’ announcement to look at alternatives and look forward to their continue participation with the dialogue committee to review alternatives.”

Curtis said in his letter the request for quotes will not specify the method by which to dispose of the M6 but that public safety will be the most important consideration in the award.

A dialogue committee established by the EPA and made up of individual volunteers, community leaders, local and statewide organizations, scientists, elected officials, and federal and state representatives to gather information on alternate disposal methods will meet from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Community House, 711 Gladney St. It is open to the public.

Rather than wait on the committee to complete its work, Curtis said he wanted potential contractors concurrently working on the pricing of alternatives “immediately” so the Louisiana Military Department, as the contracting authority, will be in a position to move quickly based on the outcome of the committee’s recommendation.